ToCreate.Art.blog

This is my first post on my new blog, ToCreate.art.blog

Today’s theme is about finding opportunities in starting over.

New Beginnings

As a wise man in IT once said:

Never underestimate the power of a restart.

Not everyone likes change. I don’t like change. Perhaps you don’t like change.

But sometimes, you have to handle change. You may kick and scream against it, or you may turn your back, or you may just resign yourself to whatever change comes along for you – not really participating in the change, but not being able to stop it.

I am grateful to have opportunities that arise from New Beginnings. When one door shuts, another opens. I don’t always look for the chance to start fresh when my opportunities become limited, but when I do …

Change

Not long ago, I submitted my resumé to Rice Lake Weighing Systems (RLWS) for a Programmer/Analyst position. After almost two weeks, I called the company to check the status of the position. The lady told me the Hiring Manager was still reviewing resumes. Within a couple of hours, I got a call back and we scheduled a phone screening for early the next week with the Hiring Manager and VP of IT.

During the phone screening, they were excited to see my qualifications within my resumé, and I was excited that they were excited about my resumé. It was a fit-fit situation, and I could not be more excited than I was to join one of the best companies to work for in Rice Lake.

At the end of the screening, I asked,

Based on our conversation here, are there any concerns with me moving forward in the interview process?

The answer was a resounding, “not at all!”

My First Interview Back in the Workforce

From there, we scheduled an in-person interview with the Hiring Manager and the VP of IT, and then a panel of 3 or 4 developers. I practiced and practiced and practiced. The interview was OK. I was nervous, of course, and choked on the “What are your strengths/tell me about your qualifications? This is your time to shine!” I just couldn’t remember my practiced response, or anything to make it sound like a qualification.

I did better in the panel interview as far as remembering my practiced responses, but

I still spoke quietly and unsure.

I could kick myself in the butt. I should have practiced with an “interviewer”. I mostly spoke to thin air or the mirror.

When asked if I was still interested in the position,

I emphatically said yes.

Silence is Deafening

After thanking the Hiring Manager and HR rep via email, I called in a few days later to check the status of the position. I got no response to either the email or the call-in. I waited a week and called in to talk with HR. My call went to voicemail. A week later, I tried calling again and got voicemail again.

By this time, I knew I didn’t get the job. If I were to be honest with myself, I started suspecting it after I sent the “thank you” emails and received no responses.

Something New and Maybe Interesting

At around the same time I applied to RLWS, I applied at Walmart and Marketplace for cashier positions, shaking my head because of my over-qualifications. I thought,

They won’t hire me for an entry-level position with my Software Development background.

To my surprise, Marketplace called me and was interested in setting up a phone screening. I spoke with a lady, I will call her “Betty”. We set up a time for the phone screening.

The morning of the phone screening, I decided to go for a walk. I ended up walking a 2 mile route! I got home and spent time in the she-shack. Then I remembered about my phone screening. Luckily, I had about a half-hour to spare. I got out my notes, splayed them across the table, and finished up some last-minute practice.

At 10:30, my phone call came in. I did fairly well on the phone – a device I don’t like speaking into. While speaking at some length about the cashier position, Betty indicated that there was also a Guest Services Rep (GSR) position that was posted. She told me about the position, what it entailed, and where in the company it could lead. I expressed interested in the GSR position, so she set me up with an in-person interview with “Jay”, the Guest Services Manager.

That same morning, after my phone screening with Marketplace, I got a “Thank you, but…” email from RLWS. Disappointed, but not surprised.

Another Interview

Jay had a set of company-standard questions to ask, and only one – “Tell me about yourself” – where I was able to use part of my original practice answer. I practiced this answer ahead of time, knowing they were not interested in where a I came from, but more interested in wanting to know where I wanted to go:

“I am a Computer Scientist, but I am looking for a position where I can utilize my “customer service” skills. I applied for this position knowing the company is strong, and maintains a clean, friendly, and professional atmosphere where everyone is helpful to the customer.”

Or something along those lines.

I was told I would have to train as a bagger and a cashier before being trained as a GSR. They see that I asked for $X.00/hr, but he said he will give me $X.25/hr, the max he could give without obtaining permission. He asked if I was still interested in the position.

I said, “yes”

I received the offer letter via email. I approved it and sent it back on its way.

At this time, I am awaiting an orientation date.

Genuinely Excited

Believe it or not, I am actually excited to start work. Not just because I’m bored at home, but because I will be doing different things, being helpful (my calling), and working for a company that has that small town feel. A company that is active in the community, providing support where it is needed, and also recognizing that the employee isn’t just there to fill a position, but to feel like a part of a team.

New beginnings. A new blog, a new job, and a new career.

Not everyone enjoys change. I still don’t. But I do appreciate the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and to be a part of a workforce that challenges the good in me. To be respected for the simple things. To respect the simple things.

When have you been a part of a big change? How have you survived it? What have you learned within that opportunity?

Lisa